Fire destroys house in Burlington, residents escape to safety

BURLINGTON (WITI) -- Firefighters were called to a massive house fire at a home in Burlington late Friday, October 4th. Thirteen different departments responded to the scene.

The three-alarm fire broke out just before midnight at the home on Johnson St. Neighbors called 911 claiming they heard a loud boom come from the residence.

"All of a sudden I hear some commotion outside and then there's a boom. So I just ran downstairs to see what was going on and all of a sudden I see a bunch of orange glow," said Debbie Fall, a friend of the homeowner.

Joan Winkler lost her entire home. She was inside with a male acquaintance when the fire started.

The two escaped from the house -- the man ran out the front door, Winkler jumped from a second-story window with encouragement from neighbors.

"Joan pulled herself down, hanging by her knuckles and they touched her feet and told her to drop, fall, you gotta come out, you gotta come out and that's what they did. They both landed on each other and she was fine. No broken bones, nothing," said neighbor Kevin Monteith.

While Winkler went unharmed, her friend was taken to the hospital with what officials originally described as minor injuries. He remains hospitalized.

One firefighter was also sent to the hospital with minor injuries.

The Burlington Fire Department estimates the property damage at more than $200,000. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and is still under investigation.